Box-printing machine.



W. 0. GARBER & F. J. GLINE. BOX PRINTING MACHINE.

APlLIOATION FILED MAR. 7, 1911. v 1,033,390. v Patented July 23,1912.

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W. 0. GARBER & F. J. GLINE.

BOX PRINTING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED MAR. 7, 1911.

Patented July 23, 1912.

8 SHEETSSHEI}T 2.

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BOX PRINTING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED MAR. 7, 1911.

' Patented July 23, 1912.

W10. GARBER & F. J. GLINE.

BOX PRINTING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7, 1911.

Patent ed July 23, 1912.

a SHEETS -SHEET 4.

Z] mum 1 601 W. 0. GARBER & F. J. GLINE.

BOX PRINTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7, 1911.

Patented July 23, 1912.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

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BOX PRINTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7, 1911.

Patented July 23, 1912.

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BOX PRINTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7, 1911.

1,033,390. Pitented July 23,1912.

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W. O. GARBER & F. J. CLINE.

BOX PRINTING MACHINE. .APPLIOATION IILBD MAR.7,1911.

1,033,890. Patented July 23,1912.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 8 jl o/Gczrer F0 667122 2- I mm WiLLIAM O. Gamma mm FRANK-J. cums, on RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

BOX-PRINTING MACHINE.

Specification of'L tters Patent. Patented uly 23, 1912.

Application filed March 7,1911. Serial No. 612,833.

To all whom it may cmzcems Be it known that we," WILLIAM O. GARBER- and FRANK'J. CLINE, citizens of the United States, residing at Richmond, in the county of Henrico and State; of Virginia,-hav'e invented certain new and useful Improvements in Box-Printing Machines, of which the following a is '-a specification.

-This invention relates to machines for striping or-' otherwise marking or ornamenting paper boxes and similar containing vessels. I

The object of the-invention-is to provide a machine of durable and compact construction, by means of which a finishing band or stripe may be printed or otherwise impressed directly -on theexterior wall of a pill box or other cylindrical receptacle, 'in lieu of printing the finishing'bands' separately and subsequently pasting said bands,

by hand, around the receptacles to. give the latter the desired finish or trimming.

A further object is to provide a printing machine iii which the boxes -or receptacles 5 are presented one-at a time to the printing rollers, where they are clamped between the heads of a gripping-de'viceor chuck-and rotated to effect the printing thereof and'then dropped into a receiving troughor otherwise directed to a suitable "point of discharge.

A further. object is to provide a machine" including a stationary frame upon which are supported the inking rolllers, printing rollers and'box gripping device, and a movable frame mounted for reciprocation onthe' stationary frame for moving the printing rollers into and out of contact with'a box andfor'controlling-the delivery of the 'boxes to and the' discharge of said boxes from the grip ing device. I

A further 0 ject isto provide a printing machine, the parts of-which are so arranged that when the reciprocating frame is moved- '-in one direction, the upper box controlling slide or pin and printing rollers will beasimultaneouslyretracted and the heads of the gripping device separated to receive abox, and when said frame is moved in the opposite direction, the printing of said box "Wlll be effected-andthe printing rollers and, lower box retaining pin simultaneouslyre-.

tractfed and the heads of the gripping device' separated' to permit the discharge' of the finished box.

prove this class of devices so as to increase their utility, durability and efliciency.

understood that various changes in form, proportions and minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a box printing machine embodying our invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view'of the same; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view, showing the parts in normal position, that is to say, with-the boxes arranged in the feed chute and in position to be delivered to the grippingdevice; Fig. 4' is a similar View, showj Astill further object is generally to iming the reciprocating frame at the limit of its forwardlmovement, and the chute cut off the limit of'its rearward mo.vement, with the printing rollers and heads of-the gripping device retracted, and with the lowerretaining pin moved to-inoperative position to permit the discharge of a'finished box;

Fig. 6 is a horizont-al'sectional view, showing in dotted lines the movable head of the gripping device in retracted position' to permit the insertion of-a box, and-in full lines in positiontogrip saidbox'; Fig.7 is a vertical sectional viewtaken on'the line 77 'of Fig. 1 and"looking in :thedirection of the arrow Fig.2i8 is a detail perspective view of one ofthe printing roll carriers detached Fig. 9' is aperspective view'of the inking roll carrierwdetached; Fig. "10 is a side elevation,.showingthe manner of attaching the actuating .pit man to-the flywheel of a mo tor; Fig. 11 is a detail perspectiveyiew'of the locking-device for the inking roll car-' rier; Fig. 12 is a detail perspective view of the lower end;of the 'box chute; Fig. 13 is a detail perspective view of one of the pivoted dogs, actuating levers and their associated parts, detached; Fig.- 14 is a perspective.

viewof'one of the boxes having an arm mental stripe-or band'printed thereon.

Corresponding and like parts are referred a to in the followin description and indicated in all the views the drawings by the same reference characters.

The machine comprises a supporting frame including a base plate for attachment to a table or other suitable support 6 and provided with spaced upstandingside walls 7 having arms 8 extending laterally. therefrom and in which is mounted for 'reciprocation an actuating frame 9. The forward ends of the side walls 7 are cut-away and extended upwardly to form spaced inclined plates 10 constituting a receiver for an inking roll carrier, indicated at-11:

I'n'i'cz'ng roll carrien The carrier 11 is.

slidably mounted on suitable guidin strips 12 secured to the inner faces of the p ates 10 and comprises spaced longitudinal bars 13 between which are mounted for rotation a plurality of rollers 14, one of which constitutes an inking roller and the others feed rollers. The rollers 14.- are preferably covered with rubber or other yieldable material,

while the roller 15 is provided with a metal surface for contact with a similar feed roller 16 mounted on an oscillating frame 17 The feed roller 15 is provided withoppositely disposed t-runnions, whichlatter are seated in slots 18 formed in the side bars 13, said roller being provided with a gear wheed 19 which meshes with the teeth of a corresponding gear wheel 20 secured to the shaft 21 of the upper feed roller 16 so that motion may be transmitted from the feed roller 16 to the feed roller 15 and thence-to the yieldable feed rollers 14.

t Arranged at the end of the carrier 11, is a plate 22 having oppositely disposed side members 23, which latter overlap the side plates 10 and are detachably secured thereto by bolts or similar fastening devices. Slidably mounted in a head block 24, arranged at the rear of the feed roller 15, is a plunger 25 having aterminal head rovided with angularly disposed arms 26, w ich latter are seated in the slots 18 and are provided with terminal bearings. for engagement with the trunnions of said feed roller 15, there being a coll spring 27 interposed between the end of the plunger 25 and adjacent wall of a receiving socket 28 for the purpose of normally and yieldably retaining the feed roller 15 in frictional enga ement with the adjacent feed roller 14:. 'lhe outer end of the head block 24 is provided with a reduced terminal 29 in which is threaded an adjusting screw 30, so that by rotating the screw 30, the roll carrier may be adjusted longitudinally of the receiver, for

the purpose of regulating the pressure exerted by the terminal inking roller on the printing rollers 31 and thus cause the latter to make either a light or dark impression on a box, as the case may be.

A coil spring 32 is preferably interposed between the head block 24 and end plate 22 and a clamping nut 33 is also preferably threaded on the adjusting screw for the purpose of holding the roll carrier in ad just-ing position against the tension of the spring 32.

Printing roll cawiers.-The rollers 31, two of which are shown in the present case, are each provided with a yieldable surface for printing or impressing on a box an ornamental finishing stripe or band, although said rollers may be used for printing a name or suitable advertisin matter on the box,

if desired. Each printlng roller 31 is mounted on a carrier 34, the body of which is provided with oppositely disposed guiding grooves 35 adapted to enter corresponding guiding'flanges 36 secured to an auxiliary plate 37 spacedfrom the bed plate, as shown. Secured 'to the upper surface of each carrier 34, is stationary block 38 having a hollow rod 33 extending laterally from one side thereof and provided at its other side with spaced plates 40, between which is slid-ably mounted a movable block 41. Extending transversely through each block 41, is a pin 42 on which is mounted the adjacent printing roller 31, said pin being retained in position by a cotter pin or similar fastening de- ,vice so as to permit the roller 31 to be removed and replaced by a roller of a different pattern or design, when necessary. Projecting laterally from' the movable block 4:1 of each carrier, is a plunger 43 which extends within the tubular member or rod 39 for contact with a coil spring 44: so as to normally and yieldably hold the printing rollers 31 in contact with the work, while at the same time allowing the printing rollers to be retracted to permit the discharge of a finished box, as will bemore fully explained hereinafter.

Threaded in each tubular member or rod 39, is a pin 45 by means of which the tension of the adjacent coil spring 4-1 may be regulated at will, said pinbeing held in adjusted position by a suitable clamping nut, as shown. Pivotally mounted beneath the plate 37, is a locking lever 46 provided with spaced upstanding catches 417, which latter project through suitable slots formed in the plate 37 at the adjacent flanges 36 for engagement with the printing roll carriers, thereby to prevent longitudinal movement of said carriers during the printing operation. The

outer or free end of the locking lever- 16, preferably extends longitudinally beyond the adjacent end of the plate 37 and is provided with a finger piece 47, by depressing \vhieh the carriers 34 may be withdrawn from the machine when it is desired to change the printing rollers 31 or effect any necessary repairs to said carrlers. [n70 feeding devi0e.-The frame 17 of the ink feeding device is mounted for oscillation on suitable studs 48 extending laterally from the side plates of the inking roll carrier, said frame serving to receive .andsupport an ink reservoir.49. The shaft 21 is journaled in suitable bearings inthe frame 17 and has rigidly secured thereto the upper feed roller 16,. there being an opening formed in the bottom of thereservoir 49' to receive the edge of said feed roller. The reservoir 49 is provided with alaterally extending flange 50 having spaced openings formed therein for the reception of threaded rods 51, which rods project vertically from the oscillating frame 17 and are provided with terminal adjusting nuts 52. Interposed between the nuts 52 and the flange .50, are coil springs '53 which serve to normally and yieldably hold the ink reservoir in contact with the upper feed roller 16. 'Arranged within the reservoir 49, is a perforated plunger 54 having a stem which projects through an opening in the cover 55 of the ink reservoir, there being a coil spring 56 interposed between the cover 55 and plunger 54 forautomatically feeding thejink to the feed roller 16.

By having the frame 17 pivotally mounted on the plates 10, said-frame is free to tilt laterally so as to permit the ready removal of the inking roll carrier, when desired. Secured to the flange 50, is one end of a coil spring'57, the opposite end of-which is secured to an eye 58 extending laterally from a feeding device, preferably in the form of a chute 59, said spring serving to normally hold the teeth of the gear wheel 20 in mesh with the teeth of the gear wheel 19 and also permitting the oscillating frame, together with the ink reservoir 49, to yield laterally to permit the removal of the inking roll carrier.

Secured to one of the lates 10, is a bracket, in which is journaled one end of'a shaft 60, the other end of which is journaled in an auxiliary plate 61 secured to the base plate -5. Keyed on the shaft 60, is a master gear 62 which meshes with a gear wheel 63 secured to the end of the shaft 21 so that when the shaft is rotated, motion will be transmitted'through the medium of the gear wheel 63 to the gear 20 and thence through the medium of the'gears 20 and 19 to the feedro'llers for the purpose of supplying ink to the 'inkingroller. Motion is transmitted from the driving shaft 64 of a motor of any suitable construction to the printing machine, through the medium of a sprocket chain 65, one end ofiwhich passes over a sprocket wheel 66 on the motor shaft 64, while the other end thereof passes over a sprocket wheel 67 on the driven shaft 60.

Box gripping dem'ca Arranged in front of the printing rollers 31, is a box gripping device comprising co-acting rods 68 and 69 having their inner ends provided with gripping inembers or heads .70 adapted to re ceive-between them the boxes from the feed chute 59. The outer end of the rod 68 extends through the side walls of the main supporting frame and is provided with a gear wheel 71 which meshes with an interprovided with a longitudinal bore inwhich is seated an auxiliary rod 73, to the outer end-of which is pivotally connected a trip lever 74. The trip lever 74 .is formed with an interior socket 75- having one or more openings piercing the same to permit the passage of a pivot pin 76 so that by adjusting the rod 73 longitudinally within the bore of the rod 69, the heads 70 may be spaced apart to accommodate boxes of different thicknesses. The inner end o-f'the triplever 74 is provided with oppositely disposed lugs 77 adapted to 'enter corre-' spondingly shaped slots or kerfs 78 formed in a stationary disk 79 arranged on one'side of the machine. Thedisk- 79 is provided with a tubular extension 80 having a flange for attachment to the adjacent side wall of the main supporting frame, there being a coil spring 81 arranged within the tubular member 80 and bearing against the adjacent end of the rod 69 so as to return the head 70' of said rod to normal position after said head has been ret'ractedby the trip lever 74 to release a box.

The clamping heads 70 of the gripping device are preferably'arranged immediately below the lower end of the feed chute 59 and the boxes in said chute are preferably fed one at a time between said heads to the printing rollers 31.- The chute 5.9 is inclined downwardly, while the forward end thereof is openand provided with depending arms 82 having notches 83 formed there in and adapted to receive correspondingly shaped lugs 84 extending from the end plate 22 of the inking roll 'carrier so that by inserting the lugs 84 in the notches 83 and tightening the bolt 85, both the inking roll carrier and chute will bel held in position on the main supporting frame.

Therear vertical portion of'the chute 59 is preferably provided with a removable slide 86 so that access may readily be had to the interior of the chute to facilitate the deliveryof the boxes to the gripping device should said boxes have a tendency to. stick or adhere to the walls of the chute. Secured to the lower end of the chute 59, are laterally extending arms 87 which bear againstthe inner faces ofthe side walls of the frame and are rigidly secured thereto so as to prevent accidental displacement of the dis charge end of the chute and thus insureformed therein and in which are mounted,

pins or plungers 90. I Secured to the inner ends of the plungers 90, are yokes 91 and 92, one of which forms a cut-0E for control- .ling the delivery of boxes from the chute 59 to the gripping device, and the other a means for preventing the discharge of the boxes from the gripping device until after the printing rollers 31 have been operated to 1ijmpress a finishing band or stripe on said oxes.

Mounted in the side walls of the main supporting frame, are upper and lower rollers 93 and 94:, said rollers being carried by the adjacent yoke-s 91 and 92 and adapted to coact with relatively stationary rollers 95 arranged in spaced relation to the first mentioned rollers. The rollers 93-and 9d are slidably mounted in suitable slots 96 so that when the plungers 90 are retracted against the tension of the coil springs 97. the rollers 93 and 91 will move with said plungers. Secured to or formed integral witlrthe upper yoke 91, is a lip 98 which extends over the adjacent roller 93 and in the path of the boxes in the chute 59 so as to normally prevent said boxes from dropping downwardly bet-ween the-heads of the gripping device. Thus it will be seen that the roller 93 and lip 98, together with the adjacent roller 95$,co-act to control the delivery of boxes to the gripping device, while the roller 94 and opposite roller 95 meet to prevent the discharge of the boxes until utter they have been acted upon by the printing rollers.

Act-noting frame.-The actuating "frame 9 is preferably rectangular in shape and com prises upper and lower side bars 99 and 100 connected by transverse bars 101, to the. rear one of which is connected at pit-man 102,. the latter being in turn connected with the fly wheel 103 or" the motor shaft 6%, best shown in l 9; of the drawings. The rear end posts 10-1 of the actuating trains are provided with threaded. sockets for 1e reception of correspondingly threads rods 1d?) to the inner ends of which is secured a transverse yoke or bracket 100. I

Extending laterally from one side of the l. amelhlszin actuatingrodltllhavii aced upstanding lingers 109 secured the adapted to alternately engage and 1 i lever 1 as said llrame is moved backward and forward. Pivotally mounted on suitable trunnions 109, extending laterally from noaaseo the opposite side walls of the main supporting frame, are levers 110, to the upper ends of which are pivotally connected at111,

rearwardly extending rods 112, the lower ends of said levers being operatively connected with the printing rollers 31. Slidably mounted on the rods 112, are cushioning devices, preferably in the form of cylinders 113 having caps 114 extending Within the same and bearing against coil springs 115.

Extending transversely through the side walls of the main supporting frame, is a stationary shaft 116, on the opposite ends of which are pivotally mounted the interme diate portions of levers 117. The lower ends of the levers 117 are connected with the adjacent ends of the rollerv 93 while the upper ends of said lovers are slotted to permit the passage of the rods 112,- said rods also extending through slots formed in the bracket or yoke 106. Thus it will be seen that on the initial forward movement of the actuating.

frame 9, the bracket or yoke 106 will engage the levers 117 and retract the roller 93 so as to permit a single box to he released from the chute 59, said bracket or yoke simultaneously tilting thelevers 110 and retracting the printing rollers 31, a further movement of the actuating frame causing one of the.

stoppins 108 to engage and tilt the trip lever 74 so as toseparate the heads of the box gripping device and permit the box re leased from the chute to fall between said heads.

Pivotally mounted on the trunnions 109, are actuating dogs 118 having their upper ends provided with hooked terminals 119 adapted to bear against pins or lugs 1'20 extending laterally from the movable blocks 11. The lower ends of the dogs 118 are provided with slotted plates 121 adapted to re ceive the adjacent ends of curved levers 122. The levers'lQQ are pivotally mounted on the ends of the lower roller 94 to which roller are also connected rearwardly extending bars 123 having their intermediate portions oft'set,-as indicated at 12 1. The rear ends of the bars 123 are slidably mounted in suit able guides 1:25 arranged on opposite sides oi the main supporting :t'rame, there being slots 1% formed in the side walls-rel said inaiir supporting frame the lower roller 41 to permit said bars and roller to be moved out 01 the path of the boxes and thus perniit said boxes to be discharged through an opening 12'? formed in the base of the machine and supporting table 0 when said bones are released from the gripping device.

Secured to the lower side bars 100 of the actuating frame 9, are upstanding lugs 129 having threaded openings termed therein for the reception of a correspondingly threaded impact rod 129, the latter being adapted to-engage the offset portions 1% oi the side bars 123 on the rearward strokeof.

the actuating frame so as to disengage. the lower roller 94 and-simultaneously retract the printing roller 31.

It will here-be noted that on the rearward movement of the actuating frame, the longitudinal :movement imparted to the curved levers 122 will tilt the lower or slotted end of-thedog 118 and thus cause .the hooked end thereof to bear against the pin 120 of the a'djacent printing roller so as to move-saidprintingroller out of contact with'tl1e-work.--As-a means for changing the position of the pitman 102 with relation to the fly wheel 103 and thus vary the length of stroke ofthe-actuating frame 9, there is provideda plate 130 having oppositely disposed lugs 131 for attachment to the wheel 103 and provided with a guiding recess 132, in which is arranged a threaded pin 133, the latter being extended through a correspondingly threaded openingfo-rmed in a sliding block 134. Extending laterally from the block 134, is-a crank pin 135, on which is pivotally mounted theadjacent end of the pitman 102 so that by rotating the head of the pin 133, the block 134 may be adjusted longitudinally within the guiding recess 132,

as will be readily understood.

The operation of the device is as follows: The feed chute or magazine 59, is first charged with pill boxes or other containing vessels, indicated at 136, after which the motor is started, thus transmittingmotion from said motor through the medium of the sprocket chain 65 and intermediate gearing to the feed and inking rollers and also to the member 68 of the box gripping device,

to continuously rotate the same. On the forward movement of the actuating frame 9, theyoke or bracket 106 will engage the upper ends of the levers 117 so as to retract the roller 93, and through the medium of the cushioning device 114, simultaneously tilt the levers 110 thereby to cause saiddevers to bear against the pins 120 and retract the printing rollers, a further forward movement of the frame causing one of the stop pins, 108 to tilt the trip, lever 74, thus to separate the" heads 70 of the gripping device and allow one of-the boxes from the chute to drop between the heads 70 .of said gripping device. On the initial return or rearward movement of the actuating frame, the spring 81 will cause the heads to grip the box, while the springs 41 will move the printing rollers in contact with said box, which latter is rotated by the before mentioned gearing, so as to cause the rollers 31 to print or otherwise impress'an ornamental stripe or band around thebox. As the actuating frame 9 continues to move in a rearward direction, the impact rod 129 will engage the offset portion 124-of-the bars 123 and the hooked end of the dog 118 will engage the pins 120 of the printing rollers 31 so as to retract said printing rollers and the lower roller 94 and thus permit the finished or printed box to fall through the discharge opening 127 when the clamping heads of the box, gripping device are'released, this re- .lease of the clamping heads being subsequently effected by engagement of the other pin 108 with the trip lever 74 as the actuatingframe nears the end of its rearward stroke. Thus it will be seen that as the actuating frame is reciprocated on the main frame, the boxes from the feeding device or chute-will be automatically presented to the printing rollers where they will be rotated by the gripping device to effect the printing thereof, and subsequentlyallowed to fall through the opening in the bottom of the table and thence directed into a receptacle or other suitable point of discharge.

, It will here be noted that the cushioning devices 113 serve to receive and absorb the jar incident to the impact of the yoke or bracket 106 with thelevers 117, thus preventing damage to the machine. It will also be noted. that by moving the rod 73 within the socket of the trip lever 74, the

head. of the longitudinally movable rod 69 may be adjusted with respect to the head of the rotating rod08 to accommodate boxes.

of different thicknesses. The impact rods 129 and rearwardly extending'rods 105, are preferably threaded so that the yoke or bracket 106 and head of the impact rod 129,

may beadjusted longitudinally of the machine according to the size or character of the box being operated upon.

" While the machine is, principally designed for automatically printing or otherwise impressing an ornamental stripe 'or band on pill boxes and similar cylindrical containing vessels, it will of course be understood that the machine may be used with equally good results for printing ady ertising matter thereon and that anydesired color of ink maybe employed in the trimming of the boxes. 4

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a machine of the class described, coacting box gripping members, one of which is mounted for rotation; and the other for longitudinal movement with respect thereto. means for holding the" longitudinally movable gripping member in different positions of longitudinal adjustment, means for feeding boxes one at a' time between the gripping .members, means for printing a circumferential ornamental band on the exterior walls of the boxes while supported between said gripping members, means for retracting the printing'mechanism during the delivery of the boxes toand the discharge of said boxes from the gripping members, and means for automatically releasing the longitl'idinally i from the movable gripping member to permit dis charge of said boxes.

2. In a machine of the class described, coacting box gripping members having clamping heads, one of Which is mounted for rotation and the other for longitudinal movement, means for securing the longitudinally movable clam ing head in different positions of longltudinal adjustment with re spect to the rotary head, means for feeding boxes one at a time between the clamping heads, a printing roller, means for rotating the clamping heads to effect the printing of the boxes While supported between said heads, means for releasing the longitudinally movable head to permit the discharge of said boxes, and means for retracting the printing roller during the delivery of the boxes to and the discharge of said boxes from the gripping members. i

3. In a machine of the class described, coacting box gripping members, one of which is mounted for rotation and the other movable longitudinallywith respect thereto and yieldably supported in cooperative relation therewith, means fonfeeding boxes one at a time between the gripping members, a printing roller, means .for rotating both gripping members to effect the printing of the boxes While held between said gripping members, and means for retracting'the printing roller during the delivery of the boxes to and the discharge of said boxes from the gripping members. I

a. In a machine of the class described, rotary box gripping members, one of Which is adjustable longitudinally With respect to the other, means for securing the longitudinally movable box gripping memberin diderent positions of longitudinal adjustment with respect to the other box gripping member, means for feeding boxes one at a time between the gripping members, a printing roller, an inking roller co-acting with the printing roller, a reservoir for feeding ink to the inking roller, means for rotating the gripping members to effect the printing of the boxes While supported between said members, means for releasing the longitudinally movable gripping member to permit the discharge of said boxes after the printing operation, and means for retracting the printing roller during the delivery of the boxes to and the discharge of said boxes gripping members.

5. In a machine of the class described, a box gripping device, means for feeding boxes one ata time to the ri in device, a

printing roller. means for rotating said gripping device to etlect-the printing of the boxes carried'thereby, means for preventing the delivery ott the boxes to the gripping device during the printing operation, means for releasing the gripping device to permit the discharge of the printed boxes, and

means for retracting the printing roller during the delivery of the boxes to and the discharge of said boxes from the gripping device.

6. In a machine of the class described, a box gripping device, means for feeding boxes one at a time to the gripping device, a

printing roller arranged near said grlpplng device, means'for rotating the gripping device to effect the printing of said boxes, means for rotating the printing roller, and means for retracting said printing roller as the boxes from the feeding devices are delivered to and discharged from the gripping device. i

7. ln amachine of the class described, a box gripping device, means for feeding boxes one at a time to said gripping device, a continuously rotatable printing roller, means for moving the printing roller into engagement with the boxes after the latter have been delivered to the gripping device to effect the printing of said boxes, means for releasing said gripping device to permit the discharge of the printed boxes, and means for retracting the printing roller as the boxes are delivered to and discharged fromthe gripping device.

8. In a machine of the class described, a

box feeding device, a gripping device arranged beneath the feeding device and adapted to receive the boxes from said feeding device one at a time, a printing roller, means for successively moving the printing roller in contact with the boxes after the lat vice, means for rotating the gripping device to effect the printing of said boxes, means for checking the delivery of boxes to the gripping device during the printing operation, and means for releasing said gripping device to permit the discharge of the printed boxes.

9. In a machine of the class described. a box feeding device, a gripping device disposed beneath the feeding device and including spaced clamping heads, one of which is mounted for rotation and the other, for longitudinal movement, means for delivering the boxes one at a time between the heads of the gripping device, a printing rpller movable into engagement with the boxes after delivery to the gripping device, means for rotating the gripping device to permit the printing of said boxes, and means for automatically separating the heads of said gripping device to permit the discharge of the printed boxes.

10. in a machine of the class described, a box gripping device, means for feeding boxes one at a time to the gripping device a continuously rotatable printing roller. an inking roller contacting with the printing roller, means for supplying inlr to the inking roller, nit-ans for rotating the gripping 100 ter have been delivered to said gripping dedevice, means for moving the printing roller into and out ofcontact with the boxes to ,effect the printing thereof, means for preyieldably supporting the inking roller in contact with the printing roller, means for delivering the boxes one at a time to the gripping device, means for moving the printing roller in engagement with the boxes after delivery to said gripping device, means for rotating the gripping device to effect the printing of the boxes, means for releasing the gripping device to permit the discharge of the printed boxes, and means for retracting the printing roller during the discharge of said boxes from the gripping device.

12. In amachine of the class described, a supporting frame, a box gripping device mounted on the frame, means for feeding the boxes to the gripping device, a printing roller, upper and lower cut-off devices extending in the path of the boxes, a movable frame mounted for reciprocation on the supporting frame,' and mechanism for retract-- ing the upper cut-ofl device and printing roller and subsequently releasing the gripping device when the reciprocating'frame is moved in one direction andfor "retracting the printing roller and lower cut-off device andsubsequently releasing the gripping de-. vice when the frame is moved in another direction.

13. In a machine of the clsiss described, a supporting frame, a box gripping device, means for feeding boxes to .the gripping device, a printing roller arranged near said gripping device, means for rotating the gripping device, means for supplying ink to the printing roller, amovable frame mounted for reciprocation on the support ing frame, upper and lower cut-ofi' devices disposed in the path of the boxes, mecha nism for simultaneously retracting the printing roller and upper cut-off device and subsequently releasing'the gripping device when the reciprocating frame is moved in one direction, and mechanism for retracting the printing roller and lower cut-off device and subsequently releasing the gripping device when the frame is moved in another di-,

rection.

14. In a machine of the class described, a box gripping device, means for feeding boxes to the gripping device, a yielrlably supported printing roller, means for rotating the gripping device, upper and lower cut-off devices disposed in the path of the boxes a lever connected with the upper cutoff device, a second lever connected with the printing roller, a reciprocating frame, means carried by the reciprocating frame for tilting said levers to simultaneously re-.

tract the upper cut-ofi device and printing roller and subsequently release the gripping device when the frame is moved inone direction, arms connected with the lower cutoff device, a dog connected with theprinting roller, and independent means carried by the reciprocating frame and adapted to engage the arms and simultaneously retract the printing roller and lower cut-off device and subsequently release the gripping device when said frame is moved in another direction.

15.] In a machine of the class described, a

supporting frame, a box gripping device mounted on the frame, means for feeding boxes to the gripplng device, means for rotating said gripping device, a continuously rotatable printing roller arranged near the gripping device, means for supplying ink to the printing roller, upper and lower cutoff devices, a lever connected with the upper cut-off device, a second lever connected with the printing roller, a rod connecting said levers, a cushioning device carried by said rod, a movable frame mounted for recipro cation on the supporting frame, means car ried by the reciprocating frame for simul taneously tilting the levers to retract the upper cuteoff device and printing roller and simultaneously release the gripping device when the reciprocating frame is moved in' one direction, a dog operatively connected with the printing roller, bars connected with the lower cut-ofl device, and independent means carried by the frame and adapted to engage the bars for retracting the printing roller and lower cut-ofi device and subsequently release the gripping device when said frame" is moved in another direction.

16. In a machine of the class described, I

a box gripping device, means for feeding boxes to said gripping device, means for rotating the gripping device, a printing roller, means for supplying ink to the printing roller, upper and lower cut-off devices dis-' posed in the path of the boxes, a lever conneeted with upper'cut-ofi" device, a second levercconnected with the printingroller, a

rod connecting the upper ends of said levers,

a cushioning device interposed between the levers and mounted on the rod, areclprocating frame, a yoke carried by the reciprocating frame and adapted to engage the lever of the upper cutoff device for simultaneously retracting the printin roller and said upper cut-off device when t e reciprocating frame is moved in one direction, a bar connected with the lower cut-off device, 'a dog connected with the printing roller, a connection between the bar and dog, means carried by the movable frame and adapted to engagesaid' bar for simultaneously retracting the printing roller and lower cutoff device when said frame is moved in another direction, a trip lever forminga part of the gripping device, and independent means carried by theframe and adapted to engage the trip lever to release the box gripping device on the forward and rearward movements of the reciprocating frame.

17. In a machine of the class'described, a supporting frame, a, box gripping device mounted on the frame and provided with a trip lever, means for feeding boxes to the gripping device, a carrier, a printing roller yieldably supported on the carrier and provided with a laterally extending pin, means for supplying ink to the printing roller, upper and lower cut-off devices disposed in the path of the boxes, a lever connected with the upper cut-off device, a second lever pivotally mounted on the frame and bearing against the pin of the printing roller, a rod connecting the upper ends of said levers, a cushioning device carried by the rod and interposed between the levers, a reciprocating frame, a yoke carried by the frame and adapted to engage and tilt said levers for simultaneously retracting the upper cut-off device and printing roller when the frame is moved in one direction, a pivoted dog bearing against the pin of the printing roller, a bar connected with the lower out OK device, a lever forming a connection between thebar and lower end of the pivoted dog, separate means carried by the frame and adapted to engage the bar and retract the printing roller and lower cut-off device when the frame is moved in the opposite direction, and fingers carried by the movable frame and arranged in the path of the trip lover of said gripping device.

18. In a machine of the class described, a supporting frame, a box gripping device mounted on-the frame and including spaced rods having terminal clamping heads, an auxiliary rod extending within one of the rods of the gripping device, a trip lever adjust-ably connected with the outer end of the auxiliary rod, a spring surrounding the auxiliary rod, means for rotating the clamping rods, means for feeding boxes between said clamping heads, a printing roller, means for supplying ink to the printing roller, upper and lower cut-bit devices disposed in thepath of the boxes, a lever connected with the upper cut'oil device, a second lever connected with the printing roller, a reciprocating frame adapted when moved in one direction to tilt said levers, and simultaneously retract the printing roller and upper cut-olf device, a dog connected with the printing roller, a bar connected with the lower cut'ofi device, means carried by the reciprocating frameand adapted to engage the bar for simultaneously retracting the lower cut-0d device and printing roller when the frame is moved in another direct-ion, a rod carried by the recipmeatiine; frame, and spaced fingers carried by the rod and arranged lever of the gripping device.

' 19. in a machine of the class described, a supporting'frame, co-act-ing gripping members mounted on the frame and adapted to support between them a box, means for feed ing boxes between the gripping members, means for rotating one of said gripping members, a rotatable printing roller, means for supplying ink to'the printing roller, a movable frame, means connected with one end ofthe movable frame for reciprocating the latter, and mechanism actuated by the movable frame for releasing the other gripping member from engagement with the adjacent box, thereby to permit the discharge ofsaid box.

20. In a machine of the class described, a supporting frame, a box gripping device, means for feeding boxes one at a time to the gripping device, a carrier mounted on the supporting frame, an inking roller mounted on the carrier, a feed roller co actlng with the inking roller, a frame mounted for oscillation above said carrier, a second feed roller mounted on the oscillating frame and co-acting with the first men tioned feed roller. a reservoir for supplying ink to said feed rollers, a printing roller disposed in contact with the inking roller, means for operating the gripping device to successively engage and release the boxes, and means for moving the printing roller into engagement with the boxes as they are supported in the gripping device to client the printing of said boxes.

21. in a machine of the class described, a supporting frame, a carrier mounted on the frame and including an end plate having; lugs, an inking roller mounted on tho carrier, a feed roller also mounted on said carrier, an oscillating frame disposed above the carrier, a second feed roller carried by i the oscillating frame and co-acting with the first mentioned feed roller, a reservoir for supplying ink to said feed rollers, a box gripping device, a printing roller, means for yieldably supporting the inking roller in engagement with the printing roller, a chute disposed above the gripping device for feeding boxes thereto, arms depending from the chute and provided with notches adapted to receive the lugs of the carrier, and means for actuating the gripping device.

'22. in a. machine of the class described, a supporting frame, a box gripping device, means for feeding boxes one at a time to the gripping device, a carrier slidably mounted in the path of the trip nal adjustment, means for feeding boxes one at a time. between the gripping members, means for applying printed matter directly to the exterior walls of the boxes while the latter are supported between the gripping.

members, means for releasing the longitudinally movable gripping member to permit the discharge of the adjacent box, and means for retracting the printing device during the delivery of the boxes to and the discharge of said boxes from the gripping members.

24. In a machine-of the classdescribed, 00-

acting gripping members, one of which is movable longitudinally with respect to the other, means for feeding-boxes one at a time between the gripping members, means for rotating said grippingmembers, means for securing the longitudinally movable member in diiferentpositions of longitudinal adjustment, means for yieldably supporting the last mentioned gripping member in engagement with abox, means for applying printed matter to the exterior wall of the box when the latter is supported between the gripping members, means for releasing the yieldably supported gripping member from engage ment with said box to permit the discharge of the latter, and 'means for retracting the printing device during the delivery of the boxes to and the discharge of said boxes from the gripping members.

- 25. In a machine of the class described, co-acting gripping members, one of which is adjustable longitudinally with respect to the other, means for securing the longitudinally movable member in different positions of adjustment, means for feeding boxes one at a time between said gripping members, means for rotating one of the gripping members, means for applying printed matter on the exterior walls of the boxes while supported between the gripping members, means for releasing the longitudinally movable gripping member to permit the discharge of the printed boxes, and means for retracting the printing device during the delivery of the boxes to and the discharge of said boxes from the gripping members.

26. In a machine of the class described, co-acting ipping members, one of which is mounted or rotation and the other adjustable longitudinallywith respect to the first mentioned member, means for securing the longitudinall movable gripping member in difierent po'sltions of adjustment, means for feeding boxes one at a time between said members, means for applying printed matter to the exterior walls of the boxes while the latter are supported-between the gripping members,

means for yieldably supporting the ,longi tudinally adjustable gripping member inengagementwith said boxes as they are successively fed between said gripping members, means for releasingthe longitudinally 'movable gripping member after the-printing of each box hasbeen effected, and means for retracting the printing device during the delivery of the boxes to and the discharge of said boxes from the gripping members. v

27. In a'machine of the class described, a

supporting frame, a gripping member mounted for rotation on the supporting frame, av second gripping member co-actingwith the first mentioned gripping member,

a'rod loosely mounted in the second grlpping member, a trip lever having a socket formed therein, the walls of which are perforated, a pin extending through the perforations and engaging the adjacent end of the rod, means for feeding boxes one at a time between the gripping members, means for applying printed matter to the-exterior walls of the boxes while the latter are supported be-- tween said gripping members, and means for tilting the trip lever to permit the discharge of said boxes. after the printing thereof has been effected.

28. In a machine of the class described, a

supporting frame, co-acting gripping mem bers mounted for rotation .on the frame, means forfeedlng boxes one at a time be tween said gripping 7 members, a carrler mounted on said frame, .an-inking roller mounted on the carrier,-a printing roller co-acting with the-inking roller, an oscillating frame arranged above the carrier and provided with a feed roller for delivering ink to the inking roller, an ink reservoir carried by the'oscillating frame, means for rotating the printing roller to effect the. printing of the boxes while supported between the gripping members, and means for releasing one of the gripping members to permit the discharge of the printed boxes.

29. In a machine of the class described, 'a supporting frame, co-acting gripping members mounted for rotation on the frame,

meansfor feeding boxes between. said gripping members, a feed 'roller, a printing roller, an ink reservoir mounted for oscillation above the feed-roller and provided with a corresponding feed roller, means for yield ably supporting the feedv roller of the ink reservoir in contact with the adjacent feed roller, an inking roller, a printing roller coacting with the inking roller, means for rotating said printing roller to effect the printing of the boxes While the latter are held be tween the gripping members, means for retracting the printing roller, and means for releasing one of said gripping members to permit the discharge of the printed boxes.

30. In a machine of the class described, co-acting gripping members, means for feeding articles between the gripping members, means for making an impression on the Walls of the articles While supported between the gripping members, means for rotating said gripping members, means for releasing one of the gripping members to permit the inseam discharge of said articles, and means for retracting the-impression mechanism during the delivery of the articles to and the discharge of said articles from the gripping- WILLIAM O. GARBER. FRANK J. CLINE.

Witnesses:

J. B. BOUNTREE, W. B. MANUEL. 

